PLASMA C-TERMINAL AGRIN FRAGMENT AS AN EARLY BIOMARKER FOR SARCOPENIA: RESULTS FROM THE GENOFIT STUDY

Barriers associated with direct muscle quantification have prevented a consistent implementation of therapeutic measures for sarcopenia. Recently, the relevance of circulating C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF) as an accessible screening method alternative for sarcopenia has gained credence. Accordingly, this study aimed to verify the pertinence of plasma CAF as a biomarker for sarcopenia. Three-hundred healthy adults aged between 50-83 years took part in this study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, while muscle strength was examined using hand dynamometry. Plasma CAF concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. CAF concentrations were significantly associated with appendicular lean mass (ALM), but not grip strength (p=0.028, p=0.575, respectively). Plasma CAF concentrations were significantly elevated in sarcopenic individuals compared to non-sarcopenic (p